81st COA Annual Meeting | 60th CORS Annual Meeting

Program

Chaired by Dr. Nick Smith from Memorial University, the 2026 Annual Meeting program features comprehensive education across all of the orthopaedic subspecialties and showcases the best in research, innovation, and critical issues.

All times are in Newfoundland Time (NT). Program is subject to changes.

Call for Cases – Bring Your Wildest, Weirdest, Most Memorable Moments to the Bull Session (June 10 – 16:30 NT)

Join us on Wednesday, June 10 at 16:30 NT for the COA’s first‑ever Bull Session at the Annual Meeting in St. John’s. This rapid‑fire, high‑energy forum — moderated by Program Chair Dr. Nicholas Smith with Memorial alumni Drs. Paul Duffy (University of Calgary) and Mark Gatha (UBC, Richmond) — is an exciting new addition to this year’s opening session.

If you’ve got a case that went sideways, surprised you, made you sweat, swear or made you rethink everything… we want it. Bring the disasters, the oddities, the “you won’t believe this” pathology, the unexpected saves, the head‑scratchers, and the beautifully messy moments that spark real discussion. The Bull Session thrives on lively back‑and‑forth, bold ideas, and the kind of unforgettable cases you don’t see every day.

Want to present a case?

Submit your case by using this link.
Accepted presenters will join us live on June 10 to walk the audience through their case and the chaos, brilliance, or mystery that came with it.
All presenters are welcome – help us launch the meeting with a fast‑paced and unique learning session.

Be sure to add this session to your Annual Meeting itinerary! Please contact education@canorth.org with any questions, or if you need help submitting your case.

Note: Please remove all patient identifiers from the submitted cases. We will be in touch to confirm participation.

Labs, Workshops, & Mentorship Opportunities

CANOOS (Tumour) Hands-on Workshop: Registration of Mixed Reality Holograms onto 3D-Printed Models for Orthopaedic Oncology Applications

Mixed Reality (MR) is emerging as a powerful tool in orthopaedic oncology for surgical planning, anatomical understanding, and precision-guided resections. A critical step for its meaningful clinical use is the accurate registration of a holographic 3D model onto real-world anatomy or patient-specific 3D-printed models. This workshop will provide participants with a practical understanding of how Mixed Reality (MR) registration works and its specific applications in orthopaedic oncology. Through a step-by-step demonstration and hands-on experience, participants will learn how to align holographic tumor and bone models onto physical 3D-printed replicas, visualize planned resection planes, and assess cutting jig positioning. The session will emphasize how MR can improve spatial understanding of complex oncologic anatomy, facilitate multidisciplinary case discussions, and enhance both surgical accuracy and education.

Date: Saturday, June 13, 2026
Time: 9:45-11:15 am
Location: St. John’s Convention Centre, Bannerman 3 Room

Register by June 1. Priority will be given to CANOOS Members.

Mentor for a Day Program

The COA and its affiliate subspecialty societies offer a Mentor for a Day opportunity on June 13, at the Annual Meeting. Residents have the opportunity to either be a Mentee shadowing an expert from their field of subspecialty interest, or be a Mentor to a medical student participating in the Annual Meeting!

For more information or to register as a Mentor or Mentee, please click here.
Application deadline: May 14

Sponsored Early Exposure to the Cutting Edge – Workshop for Medical Students

In Partnership with the Canadian Orthopaedic Surgery Student Network (COSSNET)

This hands-on workshop for medical, graduate, and undergraduate students will take place on Saturday, June 13, from 15:15–17:30 at the St. John’s Convention Centre, where participants will rotate through a series of table discussions and hands-on skills stations.

Register here!

Program Objectives:
1. Enhance early exposure to orthopaedic concepts, procedures and technology
2. Provide mentorship and interaction with residents and leaders in the specialty
3. Promote diversity of insight into training through small-group discussions involving residents from different stages of training
4. Contribute to student-led research through collaboration with our COSSNET partners evaluating the workshop’s impact on learner interest and understanding of the orthopaedic specialty

RI Harris Lecturer – Hon. Dr. Andrew Furey

On Thursday, June 11 at 9:00 a.m., Dr. Furey will be interviewed by COA President Dr. Sukhdeep Dulai.

Honourable Andrew Furey, MD, FRCSC, MSc., MSM., Dip. Org. Leadership
Experienced Executive, Physician, Humanitarian, and former Premier of Newfoundland & Labrador

This Honourable Dr. Andrew Furey is an accomplished executive, physician, humanitarian, and former Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador. During his tenure, he led several generational initiatives, including negotiations central to the Churchill Falls hydro‑electrical development, securing a $5.2‑billion federal rate‑mitigation agreement and a landmark $227‑billion memorandum of understanding with Quebec.

Guiding the province through the COVID‑19 pandemic, Dr. Furey applied his background in clinical epidemiology to inform evidence‑based decision‑making. He also oversaw pivotal negotiations that safeguarded the future of Newfoundland and Labrador’s oil and gas sector and launched a new clean‑energy industry centered on wind and hydrogen development. Under his leadership, strategic fiscal measures contributed to a significant credit‑rating upgrade for the province.

Dr. Furey has extensive experience in national policy discussions and intergovernmental collaboration, working closely with senior leaders—including Prime Minister Mark Carney—and serving twice as Chair of the Canadian Atlantic Premiers. He is recognized for his progressive, pragmatic approach and his ability to build strong relationships across the political spectrum.

Internationally, he has represented Newfoundland and Labrador on trade missions and played a key diplomatic role in the repatriation of the Unknown Newfoundland Soldier from France. As the founder of Team Broken Earth, Dr. Furey established and scaled a global humanitarian organization that deployed multidisciplinary teams to deliver critical medical aid in disaster and conflict zones. Under his leadership, the organization grew to more than 1,000 volunteers, developed global partnerships, and achieved charitable status and long‑term funding.

A respected orthopaedic surgeon, Dr. Furey previously served as Chief of Orthopaedics at Eastern Health and as an Associate Professor at Memorial University. He completed a fellowship in orthopaedic trauma at the University of Maryland/Johns Hopkins. He is the author of Hope in the Balance (Penguin Random House, 2020) and the recipient of numerous honors, including Memorial University Alumnus of the Year (2012), the Canadian Red Cross Humanitarian of the Year (2017), an Honorary Doctorate from Canadian University Dubai (2024), and the King’s Coronation Medal (2025).

Presidential Guest Speaker – Dr. Julian Sernik

Dr. Julian Sernik will serve as the Presidential Guest Speaker during the Meeting Kick-Off, on June 10 at 15:30 NT. His presidential address, titled “Buy the Chocolate Milkshake: Small Acts of Humanity in a High-Performance Profession,” will explore the realities of orthopedic surgery – a field that demands focus, efficiency, and technical precision – while recognizing the broader human experience shared by both patients and surgeons.

Through this lens, he explores how small, deliberate actions, often dismissed as peripheral, can build trust, influence outcomes, and restore meaning in our work. The address is a reminder that some of the most powerful levers for impact require no additional resources, exist outside systems and politics, and remain entirely within our control.

Julian B. Sernik MD, FRCSC
Orthopaedic surgeon and leadership educator whose work spans operating rooms, boardrooms, and mountain environments.

A fellowship-trained specialist in lower extremity reconstruction, he practices in British Columbia and serves as a Clinical Instructor at the University of British Columbia. His clinical work is complemented by a deep commitment to healthcare system improvement, where he focuses on team-based care, access to surgery, and quality innovation. As Expert Clinical Faculty with the Doctors of BC Consultant Specialist Team Care Collaborative, he mentors physicians in building more effective and resilient care systems.

Dr. Sernik is also a TEDx speaker, where he explored the shared principles of collaboration and decision-making across disciplines. Beyond medicine, he is the founder of HELI—Highly Effective Leadership Immersion—through which he works with leaders across industries. His approach is grounded in a distinctive combination of business and leadership training, quality improvement science, surgical decision-making, and real-world experience in high-consequence environments.

With decades of experience in ski patrol, as a resort physician, and now as a certified helicopter ski guide, he brings a practical understanding of how teams perform under pressure—where trust, communication, and decision-making are not theoretical, but essential.

CORS MacNab Lecturer – Dr. Albert Yee

Dr. Albert Yee has been named the 2026 MacNab Lecturer and will present the MacNab Lecture (titled The Evolving Landscape of Spine Surgery: How Research and Innovation have Shaped New Horizons), during the Canadian Orthopaedic Research Society (CORS) Ian Macnab and J. Edouard Samson Award Lectures & CORS Business Meeting on Friday, June 12 from 14:00-15:30 NT.

Albert Yee MD, FRCSC
Academic spine surgeon and surgeon‑scientist specializing in translational research, minimally invasive spine therapies, and surgical innovation.

Dr. Albert Yee is an academic spine surgeon at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre where he is the Holland Bone & Joint Program Chief and Division Head of Orthopaedic Surgery holding the Dr. Marvin Tile Chair in Orthopaedic Surgery. He is an Associate Scientist at Sunnybrook Research Institute and a Consultant in Surgical Oncology, Odette Cancer Centre. He is a Professor in the University of Toronto Department of Surgery, Temerty Faculty of Medicine and is a Co-Director of the Department’s Spine Program. Dr. Yee has been a Past President of the Canadian Orthopaedic Research Society and the Canadian Spine Society as well as a Past Co-Chair of Bone & Joint Canada. Dr. Yee has focused translational orthopaedic research utilizing pre-clinical surgical models to evaluate novel minimally invasive vertebral metastatic therapies (e.g., Photodynamic Therapy, Radiofrequency Ablation). His work has led to first in human clinical trials and FDA approval with commercialization of new minimally invasive spine technology. More recently he has been working with colleagues around the country towards establishing an Area of Focused Competence Diploma Program recognizing Spine Surgery through the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada.

Subspecialty Guest Speakers

Canadian Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (COFAS)

Dr. Eric Ferkel (USA)
Dr. Niek van Dijk (The Netherlands)

COA Global Surgery Committee (COAGS)

Dr. Rishkard Juin (Haiti)
Dr. Valentyn Rohozynskyj (Ukraine)

Canadian Paediatric Orthopaedic Society (CPOS)

Dr. Alaric Aroojis (India)

Wrist and Elbow Society of Canada (WECAN)

Dr. Kevin Cheung (Ontario, Canada)

Special Guests

Carousel International Orthopaedic Societies

Dr. Annunziato (Ned) Amendola (AAOS)
Dr. Stephen Kates (AOA)
Dr. Mark Moroney (AuOA)
Mr. Fergal Monsell (BOA)
Dr. Olufemi Ayeni (COA)
Dr. Odette Koch (SAOA)
Mr. Chris Hoffman (NZOA)

ABC Travelling Fellows (2026)

Mr. Alexander Aarvold (BOA)
Mr. Sanjay Gupta (BOA)
Mr. Jeya Palan (BOA)
Prof. Geraint Thomas (BOA)
Dr. Tom Ward (AuOA)
Mr. Ryan Gau (NZOA)
Dr. Jurek Peitrzak (SAOA)

ABC Travelling Fellows (2025)

Dr. Bheeshma Ravi (Canada)
Dr. Prism Schneider (Canada)
Dr. John Scolaro (USA)

ABC Travelling Fellows (2019)

Dr. Sukhdeep Dulai (Canada)
Dr. Ruby Grewal (Canada)
Dr. Philipp Leucht (USA)
Dr. Michael Lee (USA)
Dr. Derek Kelly (USA)

Anica Bitenc Travelling Fellow

Dr. Mihovil Plecko (Croatia)

Meet the 2026 Annual Meeting Program Chair

We are pleased to welcome Dr. Nicholas Smith as the Program Chair for the 2026 Annual Meeting in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador. Dr. Smith is an orthopaedic surgeon at Memorial University of Newfoundland, where he serves as the Clinical and Resident Research Director for the orthopaedic program. A graduate of the University of New Brunswick and Memorial’s medical school (Class of 2011), he completed his residency in 2016 before pursuing a Foot and Ankle Fellowship at the University of Toronto. His clinical and research interests include diabetic feet, operating room noise production, and resident evaluation methods. Dr. Smith is thrilled to welcome the Association back to Newfoundland in 2026 and looks forward to an engaging and collaborative meeting.

Learning Objectives

At the end of this conference, participants will be able to:

Review and evaluate the results of clinical advances in the diagnosis and management of common orthopaedic conditions in the areas of traumatology, arthroplasty, foot and ankle, upper extremity, hand and wrist, spine, sports medicine, paediatrics, and oncology.
Describe the importance of diversity in orthopaedics.
Update and expand their understanding of the advances in basic science research in musculoskeletal health and disease, and apply this understanding to current clinical challenges and the improvement of patient outcomes.
Establish strategies that balance both benefit and risk in the care of specific orthopaedic maladies and describe the expected patient outcomes.
Discuss innovative ideas with orthopaedic surgery thought leaders.
Communicate with colleagues from across the country thereby strengthening professional relationships.
Compare and evaluate the latest in orthopaedic equipment and services.
Describe the ways in which orthopaedic care is provided in different countries.

Commitment to Accredited, Equitable, and Inclusive Education

The development of educational content for the Annual Meeting is governed by the National Standard for Support of Accredited CPD Activities established by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. This Standard provides a rigorous framework to ensure that all accredited continuing professional development (CPD) activities are designed and delivered with integrity, scientific validity, and independence from commercial influence. By adhering to these principles, the planning committee promotes transparency, equitable faculty engagement, and the delivery of high-quality, evidence-informed education that meets the diverse needs of healthcare professionals.

Consistent with the COA’s commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging, the Annual Meeting program aims to demonstrate an understanding of how these principles impact orthopaedic training, workforce development, patient access, and clinical outcomes. Educational activities further seek to identify opportunities to advance equity within the profession and promote inclusive excellence across orthopaedic practice.

The COA is committed to offering quality accredited programming within a safe and respectful learning environment. Presentation format, scheduling, and inclusion in the final program are determined at the Association’s discretion. All activities will comply with applicable federal and provincial public health directives in effect at the time of the meeting.

2026 Scientific Planning Committee – Conflict of Interest Disclosures

Aaron Bois: Research Grant: McCaig Institute for Bone & Joint Health, Uni of Calgary ; Education/scientific relationship: Editor of the Textbook “The Shoulder” (Elsevier)
Bernard Burgesson: None.
Isabelle Catelas: To be added soon.
Gurpreet Dhaliwal: To be added soon.
Sukhdeep Dulai: To be added soon.
Robert Gill: None.
Eva Gusnowski: Consultant work for medical devices – Synthes, ConMed
Steve Mann: Membership on advisory board or speakers’ bureau – Stryker
Matthew Menon: To be added soon.
Christopher Nielsen: Speakers bureau – J&J Medtech
Laura Sims: None.
Kevin Smit: To be added soon.
Nicholas Smith: Memorial University of Newfoundland – Newfoundland and Labrador Health Research fund, $100,000 ; Unrestricted research fund with Stryker
Mark Sommerfeldt: Educational consultant for Arthrex
Allison Tucker: None.
David Wilson: None.